Capitol hill

Actress and Left-wing activist Alyssa Milano appeared alongside Democratic Representatives Carolyn Maloney and Jackie Speier outside the Capitol on Wednesday to express her support in ratifying the Equal Rights Amendment (ERA). Milano testified at a shadow hearing hosted by Rep. Maloney in the Rayburn House Office Building — a vocal supporter of the #MeToo movement, Milano tweeted about her appearance before the lawmakers and her push for ERA on Twitter.“The #MeToo movement was such a powerful phenomenon because for far too long, women have not felt heard,” Milano said in a statement. “It’s hard to empower women when they are not recognized as part of our constitution. Now is the time for that to change and for the ERA to become part of the law for our nation.” “Women came together, in the last year, to say ‘Me Too.’ We supported each other and we held men accountable by saying ‘Time’s Up.’ Well, I’m … [Read more...] about Alyssa Milano Hits Capitol Hill to Push Equal Rights Amendment

Under growing pressure from the House to change how lawmakers deal with workplace harassment claims and damage awards, the Senate on Thursday approved a package of reforms that would not allow members to use taxpayer funds to pay any legal settlements, and change the process for Congressional employees to bring complaints against lawmakers. “This is an incredibly important moment,” said Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), who joined with Senators in both parties to forge a compromise that was approved on a voice vote. “We are completely overhauling the sexual harassment policies of the Congress,” Klobuchar said on the Senate floor. “These reforms are commonsense,” said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY), who had been more and more vocal in recent days about the lack of action on a similar measure passed by the House. Along with streamlining the process for employees to bring a complaint – and then have it evaluated by Congressional officials – the … [Read more...] about Senate approves new reforms on Capitol Hill harassment

Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown, who suffered a minor stroke this month, has returned to Capitol Hill to get back to work.Brown, a Democrat, planned to speak Tuesday evening on the House floor about the defense authorization bill.Matthew Verghese, Brown's spokesman, says Brown also planned to sign a discharge petition to force floor votes on immigration legislation.Verghese says while Brown is eager to return to work, he will continue to follow the recommendations of his doctors on his ongoing recovery.Brown had a minor stroke within a few hours of leaving the funeral of Baltimore County Executive Kevin Kamenetz on May 11.Brown was elected to Congress in 2016 after winning a six-way Democratic primary. … [Read more...] about Maryland Rep. Anthony Brown back on Capitol Hill after minor stroke